Chapter 21 I

Graphic images ahead ⛔️trigger warning

She’s too much… too bright… too loved."

But when knives flash and her body falls, only one name cuts through the darkness—Diadem

My voice is barely a whisper. “Help,” I say to the air. -Nneoma

He keeps saying, “Nneoma, please stay with me. Don’t go.He repeats it, frantic-wale

Obim: Hi my lady sending a driver to pick you up. You’re flying back here (Japan).-Wale 🫡

Still on Nneoma’s birthday 🥳

fix you

Nneoma’s POV

I am in the middle so sweaty, so scared, shaking while they take turns and drive a knife into my chest. They drop them hastily without bothering to check if I’m alive. I hear the whispers: she’s always doing too much… she always dresses too much… she always gets all the best opportunities… why are people always attracted to her serves her right.

I call out for help. My heart feels like it’s slowly losing consciousness. Something sticky wets my lips. My voice is barely a whisper. “Help,” I say to the air. The wind gushes over my skin. I don’t see their faces, but those voices sound familiar.

Someone draws me out of there in a motion that is slow and then suddenly fast. I pick up the scent Diadem. How did he find me?

I can’t see him, but I can feel him; his crying reaches me. Tears fall while the whispers cling to my head: Nneoma, please stay with me. He carries me gently, his feet pounding as he runs. He places me in the car and straps the seat belt around me. He presses where the wound is, trying to make the blood clot around the arteries, but his hands are shaking as he drives.

He keeps saying, “Nneoma, please stay with me. Don’t go.He repeats it, frantic: I promise I would do anything just so you would stay. Please, Nneoma don’t go. Don’t leave me. I know we’re not best friends, but you’re my friend one of the most thoughtful people I’m lucky to have witnessed in my lifetime.”

If you leave me, how will the world look without you? What about your dreams? You have to be alive to achieve them. Who’s going to be at the White House if not you? Remember — your dream is beyond Flutter. Please don’t go.”

I start slipping in and out of consciousness. He clamps his hands around mine and brings them to his lips. I have never seen or heard Diadem cry before. He squeezes my hands. Immediately we get to the hospital he jumps out and calls for nurses to carry me out on a stretcher, still holding my hand and saying it’s going to be okay. They wheel me into theatre for surgery. I recall the covenant I made with God at fifteen: I cannot be here again. I can’t die.

Unconsciously I start saying: I shall not die but live to declare the works of God upon my life.I can still feel Diadem nearby, but he seems far. After what feels like hours, I hear: She’s stable.

Still on the stretcher, they wheel me to a ward. It’s crazy I’m between consciousness and unconsciousness, but I feel everything.

Once I’m safe in my ward, Diadem sleeps on the couch. Everything is pitch black for me; I can’t see. He holds my hand and says, I’m lucky you made it. Honestly, I didn’t see who did this to you. Do you have any idea?I start shaking so badly he slowly unwinds a braid from my face. Hey, it’s okay. I’m here. We’re safe. We’re in a private wing, but I’ll still move out until we’re sure. Whoever did this will pay.

Even with my voice barely a whisper I tell him, Just let them be. Don’t go after anyone yet, please.

Diadem tenses. We’ll talk about this. Your mum and sister have been calling. I didn’t want to respond, but I will maybe they could come over tomorrow. Also, Nneoma, I think it’s best we don’t say anything to the public. We don’t know who these people are; we don’t want to endanger you. The way he holds my hand soothes my soul as he kisses it. I jolt awake with fear sweating, my whole body sticky. I keep shouting, Blood of Jesus! My voice is groggy. With shaky hands I reach for my Bible and pray. First I am aggressive with fear, then in shock, then I cry uncontrollably.

Why? Why? How is being myself too much? I wail until my shoulders shake. Even if I wronged you, I could apologize why all this, even to the point of death? I should call my mum, but it’s late. Diadem texted me a few minutes ago: Hey? You asleep? I lock my phone back. I need a minute to myself. It was comforting to see him in my dream; when I recall it, the hairs on my arms stand up. I stay like that for a few minutes, then slowly stand to make tea.

A knock at the door. A voice: Nneoma, it’s me Diadem. Open up.

I check the peephole and let him in. He hugs me so tight as if we’d had the same dream. Thankfully I’m wearing a long orange silky robe. I was worried sick about you, he says. “I couldn’t sleep knowing you were alone. Please try to respond to chats. I care about your well-being.Too stunned to respond, I murmur, It’s past 2 a.m., Diadem. Calm down a bit.I’m super scared, don’t add to it,” he replies. Why are you sweating? Your whole top is drenched. I tell him I had another nightmare. He says, Tell me about it. I relay the events. I don’t know what’s worse almost meeting my Maker, or having Diadem there in the dream. Why him? Because we’re soulmates? Why not Wale? I wish I had answers.

He walks around the kitchen counter and says, Let’s pray. We do. I say thank you, but this can’t be normal. Next time just call,I tell him. I would answer coming over is dangerous at this hour. He stares, tries to argue, then decides against it.

I’m grateful for the gesture. We sit in silence for a bit, me clutching my warm mug. I offer him tea and sit on another couch, far from him. We stay quiet until I fall asleep again. He carries me to my bed and places my head on his lap. How do I help you? he asks. I wish there was something I could do to make all this go away. Every time I’m around you, it’s a reminder of how much we’ve grown apart. I miss you, Nneoma. We stay like that until morning.

I also thank Diadem for his gifts, though I’m thinking about how to return the car. The words get caught in my throat.

Obim: Hi my lady sending a driver to pick you up. You’re flying back here (Japan). I also spoke to Mr. Andre who reluctantly allowed you to go with the bribe of a good time and chocolates.

Barbie as narrator

It must be hard to go to bed and almost every dream you have is a nightmare .

I feel sad for real how is she doing too much ?

Sigh anyway we love wale I for intentional man .